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By Jonathan Heeter

Charity Brown '25, an internal medicine hospitalist at Inova Health System in Northern Virginia, has built a career grounded in caring for others. 

Driven by curiosity and compassion, Brown continues to push the boundaries of her profession through education. 

Her goal for improving patient outcomes and systems-based thinking led her to enroll in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Advanced Practice program through ODUGlobal. Her excellent work in the program will be rewarded when she carries its banner at the upcoming commencement celebration in May.

She’s part of a wave of healthcare leaders emerging from ODU’s online program, empowered by innovation, supported through mentorship and driven by a passion for impact. 

“I saw this step as an opportunity to deepen my understanding of healthcare processes and explore new ways to make a lasting impact in patient care,” Brown said. 

Coinciding with her career, Brown’s educational experience pushed her to expand her professional scope. Through the program, she found the encouragement to step into an additional role focused on patient safety, something she said she might not have pursued otherwise. 

She first learned about ODUGlobal through former students who spoke highly of the program’s structure and support. It was strong word-of-mouth, combined with a recommendation from a trusted professor in her master’s program, that convinced her ODU would be the right fit. 

Brown also needed a program that accommodated her work schedule and didn't require her to relocate. She could knock out assignments or dive into a journal article during breaks at work, finding ways to maximize her time without losing sight of her well-being. While the flexibility of a self-guided program was key for balancing a demanding hospital schedule, Brown also found value in having a trusted advisor, Kathie Zimbro, who guided her every step of the way. 

Brown said her classwork was filled with moments of pride and discovery. Clinical placements curated by Zimbro encouraged her to seek out diverse experiences, like building a business plan and a strategic plan for work that took her out of her comfort zone. 

Brown’s capstone looked at the impact of nurse-led focused clinical deterioration education on staff education and patient outcomes. She implemented a 90-minute training session using simulations and case studies, which significantly improved nurses’ knowledge, confidence, and clinical decision-making, which are all critical to better patient care.

Zimbro said Brown uses the knowledge and skills attained through the DNP curriculum to be a fierce advocate for the most vulnerable populations within her clinical settings.

“As a result of her research, nurses are more knowledgeable about clinical deterioration, positively impacting patient quality and safety,” Zimbro said. “She has presented her research findings in multiple professional settings, providing guidance to others interested in improving patient care.” 

Brown said Zimbro was the key driver in planning the intervention and guiding her throughout the process, even collaborating with the hospital to ensure that everything went smoothly.

“She was ever present pushing me to continue. Her constructive and positive feedback was truly what led to my success,” Brown said. 

Looking ahead, Brown said she aspires to be a leader with expertise in identifying early signs of patient decline, and she wants to continue pushing herself. 

“I’m stronger today because of this journey,” she said. “The growth opportunity is endless.” 

With another diploma in hand and a bold vision for patient-centered innovation, Brown's ready to keep pushing forward for her patients, for herself and for the everyday challenges she’s committed to solving.